Pete02LSE
Active LVC Member
Today...I finished up changing out the valve cover seals on our 02 LSE. While it was quite a PITA, it really wasn't that bad. I must say...I was expecting way worse and almost took it to the dealer...just because I didn't want to deal with it. Couple of observations on the posted instructions.
1) I would add having a 1/4" swivel. That really helped in getting to some of the 7mm bolts
2) I would change them to read...passenger and driver side instead of RH and LH, respectively.
3) Clean off any debris that's on the top of the valve covers...this will prevent you from doing so AFTER you have removed them. This will also reduce the risk of getting any sand/dirt down into the heads
4) Listen to the electrical connecters comment...they are pain to get loose.
That's it...took me about 4 hours to complete both sides.
Now...what I've observed since.
I definetely have a high speed miss. Around 100 mph and at WOT, you can feel the car surging. I have no idea what this is caused by. At idle, you can hear a slight change in the exhaust note. However, I don't know if that is because of my exhaust system I have on it and it is too free flowing. Any ideas? It almost feels like the car is starved for gas. SCT time? Could it be the fuel filter is dirty? Car has 57k on it and we got it with 45k on it when we got it. So...maybe the filter needs changing.
And finally...the strangest thing...when I took it out for it's road test, I was HAMMERING on it and all was well until I did a bunch of high speed stops. The rear brakes were smoking when I stopped. That sorta concerned me...but...since I didn't touch the brakes, I don't see how I caused it.
Welp...that's it.
-Pete
02LSE
1) I would add having a 1/4" swivel. That really helped in getting to some of the 7mm bolts
2) I would change them to read...passenger and driver side instead of RH and LH, respectively.
3) Clean off any debris that's on the top of the valve covers...this will prevent you from doing so AFTER you have removed them. This will also reduce the risk of getting any sand/dirt down into the heads
4) Listen to the electrical connecters comment...they are pain to get loose.
That's it...took me about 4 hours to complete both sides.
Now...what I've observed since.
I definetely have a high speed miss. Around 100 mph and at WOT, you can feel the car surging. I have no idea what this is caused by. At idle, you can hear a slight change in the exhaust note. However, I don't know if that is because of my exhaust system I have on it and it is too free flowing. Any ideas? It almost feels like the car is starved for gas. SCT time? Could it be the fuel filter is dirty? Car has 57k on it and we got it with 45k on it when we got it. So...maybe the filter needs changing.
And finally...the strangest thing...when I took it out for it's road test, I was HAMMERING on it and all was well until I did a bunch of high speed stops. The rear brakes were smoking when I stopped. That sorta concerned me...but...since I didn't touch the brakes, I don't see how I caused it.
Welp...that's it.
-Pete
02LSE